Nestled in Hong Kong’s vibrant Sheung Wan district, Bar Leone is that rare thing: a bar that makes you feel at home, not least if you’re Italian. Crowned Asia’s Best Bar for two consecutive years (and soaring to No. 2 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list), this aperitivo haven transports you to Rome‘s sun-kissed streets.
Founded by Lorenzo Antinori, a charismatic Roman who ditched law school for a more Dionysian path in life, Bar Leone honours his family’s legacy; it’s a heartfelt nod to his grandmother’s 1970s Café Leon, blending Italian nostalgia with Hong Kong’s incessant pulse. After arriving in the city in 2017 following stints in Seoul and beyond, Antinori has crafted a space that’s equal parts personal tribute and communal refuge.
Step inside, and the romantic design envelops you like a warm embrace: walls adorned with black-and-white photos of Italian icons – actors like Sabrina Ferilli, composers like Ennio Morricone and local football heroes – creating a beautiful, curated chaos inspired by Trastevere’s caffès. Dim lighting shifts with the evening’s mood, vinyl records spin soulful tunes and the conversations do raucous battle, making it feel like Nonna’s living room when the whole extended family has come to play.
Neighbourhood bars are truly having a moment in 2025. While we love a glitzy hotel bar as much as the next person, a neighbourhood watering hole of this calibre completely elevates the scene. No velvet ropes or pretension, just genuine hospitality that turns a quick drink into a wild evening.
And what about said drinks? Bar Leone is famous for its “cocktail popolari” – classics for the people, priced affordably at HK$120–150. Join the mailing list and the team will send you the entire cocktail menu in a spreadsheet with all the instructions you need – handy if you’re feeling spicy on the other side of the world, but not quite the same as propping up the bar in Bar Leone.
I’d heartily recommend the olive oil sour, a velvety bourbon twist with sherry, banana wine and honey, brought together with olive oil and egg white; or the yuzu negroni – a fresh twist on the classic and perfect for slaking a Hong Kong thirst. Pair with the legendary mortadella focaccia, a plush sandwich that’s become a cult favourite.
Somewhat ironically, Bar Leone has revolutionised the Hong Kong cocktail scene with a back-to-basics ethos, shifting direction from molecular mixology to heartfelt boozy connections. It’s the Italian friend you never thought you’d bump into in Hong Kong.
11-15 Bridges Street, Central, Hong Kong; barleonehk.com
Ryan Thompson is a UK-based menswear and lifestyle writer, whose work has appeared in, among others, the Financial Times, Mr Porter, The Rake and Ape to Gentleman
